I have a 03 accord EX 2 door - just got a flat and realize I need 4 new tires. the current tires on there are p205 60 R16 - I happen to have a set of P215 60 R16's in my garage. Will these fit on the rim? I know they are a little wider then the original. Secondly how can a replace a wheel on a tire - its been a tough month and I don't want to spend $185 to get them installed. Does anyone know how to do this, any websites with instructions? I am very handy and I think I can figure it out. I would get them alligned afterwards...
2007-08-24 08:25:19 · 10 answers · asked by DDrew 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
First, youi shouldn't need an alignment - that's a different problem altogether.
Secondly, the 215/60R-16 tyres will fit just fine. Its not even enough of a difference to change your speedo reading by any significant amount. And you can change the tyres yourself. You'll need 2 tyre levers (long ones), some soap, and a large rubber mallet. The tyre's bead will need to be stretched to get over the rim (and the bead usually has a steel cable inside it), so it's a pretty energetic and dirty job these days. Also, you should replace the valve stems - but you can sometimes get away with using the old ones if they were new when the tyres were last replaced.
Just lubricate the tyre's bead with soap (never use oil - it'll ruin the rubber) and pry it over the rim with the tyre levers, being careful not to pinch or tear the rubber around the bead. If you do, the tyre is junk - it'll never hold air. Once you've pried it as far as you can, keep tension on the tyreagainst the lip of the rim and use the mallet to "bounce" the tyre over the edge of the rim by tapping the tyre just off the edge of the rim. Of course, the smaller the sidewall is, and the sportier the tyre is, the harder it is to do - this is why tyre shops use hydraulic machines for this.
Don't forget that you'll still need to balance the tyres - and that REQUIRES a machine. If you don't the new tyres will wear out real fast, and can wear out your suspension (shocks and ball joints) faster than you can imagine.
Good luck!
2007-08-24 08:40:29 · answer #1 · answered by Me 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll have no trouble fitting the tires, they are not much wider. It's difficult, but not impossible, to dismount and mount a tire without a machine. It's not much different than changing a tire on a bicycle. Before tire machines were the norm, this is how tires were replaced. If you can get a tire iron, you're halfway there. It's used to pry the tire bead over the rim. Mostly it takes a lot of muscle. The big issue is going to be getting the tire beads seated on the rim once you get the new tire on. This takes a compressor with serious CFM. You can't do it with a cheap low-volume compressor. You need to hit the tire with a lot of air in a big hurry to pop the beads on to the rim. You also need to get the tires balanced, or you'll have problems with vibration and odd tire wear. However, just getting them balanced is cheaper than getting them mounted and balanced. Like you, I have surprised myself with what I can do myself when funds are short. I say give it a try. The worst that can happen is that you need to take it in to some fly-by-night shop and have it done. Tires are one of those things that you really can't screw up. The tire is either on the rim or it isn't.
2007-08-24 16:58:23 · answer #2 · answered by Me again 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can do this if you have the correct tools. However, you should have a professional shop balance the tires and wheels. For newer cars with independent suspensions I suggest "Road Force" balancing where the tire is actually under load during balacing and use nitrogen inflation if they provide it. The pressures of Nitrogen fluctuate less than just regular air. Oh and by the way, they will fit. Your profile and your diameter are correct and the 215 is only slightly wider than the 205. This should not produce a steering or wheel well clearance problem.
2007-08-24 15:34:37 · answer #3 · answered by plum71 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not sure if the 215's will fit, the problems could be some contact with the strut tower or something like that. As for putting the rim on the tire-- pretty much impossible unless you have the right tools (i.e. a tire machine)
2007-08-24 15:31:48 · answer #4 · answered by James B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the mount and take-off is not worth the problem of getting hurt doing this labor ---- the tire shop will help you and they will advise you of the change in tire sizes and also they will install new tire valves and balance to run smooth ..... it just is not worth all the time that it would cost you to do all that work and they have machines that do the job and quickly -- you won't be paying more than 35 0r 40 $$'s and it's safer for you ....
2007-08-24 15:36:07 · answer #5 · answered by XTX 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
appox 2 years ago i purchased a tire changer from harborfreight.com, i used it several times now, changing tires and fixing flats on both atv' and auto tires, this thing works great, just make sure it's bolted to the floor and use lube while installing and removing tire. cost was $49.95 plus $8.95
shipping , well worth the $60, i saved that the first time i use it
2007-08-24 16:25:29 · answer #6 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you can't, or at least you shouldn't. It's not worth the hassle, anyway. Any good tire shop will mount and balance the tires for you.
Don't mess around with it yourself.
Yes, the 215's will fit.
2007-08-24 15:29:26 · answer #7 · answered by samans442 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
go to a local tire place mount per tire is like 10$
2007-08-24 15:30:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes you can.. but real question is why would you want to with it only costing a couple bucks to get a tire shop to use thier machine..
2007-08-24 15:33:34 · answer #9 · answered by pokerfaces55 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Won't fit!!!!!!!
2007-08-24 15:29:42 · answer #10 · answered by William F. D 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋